Writers

Waikato defeat East Coast to hold onto Shield

Waikato have successfully navigated their second Ranfurly Shield defence of 2013, beating East Coast 65-10 in Ruatoria, in front of a classic rugby crowd that performed a mass haka before proceedings.

Not only this, but both sides performed their own versions of the war dance, which thrilled the crowd, some of whom had driven their trucks to empty spaces to catch a better view of a famous New Zealand rugby tradition.

The mighty East Coast showed the Shield holders they were in for a match, and they created a little bit of history in the first half, with the first of two tries the maiden try for the challengers in an official match for the Log o’Wood in seven attempts.

Those two scores kept them in touch with Waikato who took a 22-10 lead to the break, before the Mooloo men cut loose.

Forty-three unanswered points in the second half gave the scoreline something of a flattering look, considering that East Coast never gave up in the first but weren’t able to cap off any scoring chances they made in the final 40 minutes.

Waikato’s next Ranfurly Shield match is against Northland during the 2013 ITM Cup.